The TJX Companies, Inc. Recalls “Ecoato” Sweet Paprika Powder Due to Possible Health Risk

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--()--The TJX Companies, Inc. today announced it is recalling “ecoato” Sweet Paprika Powder products as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Upon learning of the potential risk from the Food and Drug Administration, the Company took rapid action to alert its stores to remove the product from store shelves immediately and has put in place additional measures to prevent sales of the product.

The specific product being recalled comes in a 160 gram, light green tin package and is marked as lot #8147, with an expiration date of October 2015.

The Company estimates that approximately 150 units were sold between June 2014 and July 2014 at its T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores in the following 19 states/regions:

Alabama

Connecticut

    Maryland

Massachusetts

    Rhode Island

South Carolina

District of Columbia Mississippi Tennessee
Florida New Hampshire Texas
Georgia New York Virginia
Illinois

Louisiana

North Carolina

Puerto Rico

While no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue, consumers who have purchased a product under this lot of “ecoato” Sweet Paprika Powder are urged to return it to any T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact the Company at 1-800-926-6299.

In addition to actions taken to remove the product from store shelves, further sale of the product has been suspended while the Food and Drug Administration and the Company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after spot testing by the Food and Drug Administration revealed the presence of Salmonella in some samples of the product. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

About The TJX Companies, Inc.

The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. As of May 3, 2014, the end of the Company’s first quarter, the Company operated a total of 3,256 stores in six countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Poland, and three e-commerce sites. These include 1,085 T.J. Maxx, 947 Marshalls, 458 HomeGoods and 4 Sierra Trading Post stores, as well as tjmaxx.com and sierratradingpost.com, in the United States; 230 Winners, 92 HomeSense, and 32 Marshalls stores in Canada; and 380 T.K. Maxx and 28 HomeSense stores, as well as tkmaxx.com, in Europe. TJX’s financial press releases and information are also available at tjx.com.

Contacts

Media:
The TJX Companies, Inc.
Debra McConnell
Global Communications
(508) 390-2323

Contacts

Media:
The TJX Companies, Inc.
Debra McConnell
Global Communications
(508) 390-2323